October 22, 2013 •
State Bar of Michigan Questions Funding of Judicial Campaigns
Anonymous funding gives perception of judicial bias, State Bar says
The State Bar of Michigan has requested a declaratory ruling from the Michigan Secretary of State regarding the current interpretation of the state’s Campaign Finance Act as it relates to judicial campaign contributions.
Under the current interpretation of the law, issue advocacy advertisements are not considered expenditures, and thus are not required to be reported. This allows the funding sources of the majority of judicial campaign advertisements to remain anonymous.
The State Bar of Michigan argues that such anonymous funding gives a perception of judicial bias in the state. The Secretary of State must issue a declaratory ruling within 60 days of receipt of the request. Stay tuned!
May 16, 2013 •
Michigan Special Election Date Set
Election for 49th House District set for November 5
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder announced the dates for a special election Wednesday, and Genesee County Clerk John Gleason is pleased with his choice. The special election for the 49th District House seat will take place on Election Day, November 5, with the primary, if needed, to be conducted on August 6.
Gleason had said he was hoping Snyder would save the county money and schedule the special election on the normal election days, but he was not sure it would actually happen. “I’m tickled about that. I’m so glad. [He] never contacted us, but it worked out all right. The most important thing is that they got it right. It’s good for the taxpayers.”
Gleason started the run of special elections for Genesee County when he left the 27th District Senate seat after winning the November election for county clerk. Jim Ananich won the special election for the vacant Senate seat in May, leaving his House seat open.
Two people have already announced their intentions to run for the seat. Kyle McCree, manager of Community Outreach for the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, announced earlier this week he plans to run and Phil Phelps, former special advisor for Richard Hammel and former chief of staff for Pam Farris, has been campaigning since April.
December 17, 2012 •
Michigan Legislature Adjourns for 2012
Lame duck session produces controversial legislation
The Michigan legislature has adjourned for the year after a busy lame duck session.
Bills passed, and sent to Governor Rick Snyder’s desk for approval, included legislation on right-to-work, abortion, and gun control.
The GOP will still control the legislature in the new session, scheduled to begin on January 9, but it will be a smaller majority after Democrats took back five seats in the November elections.
Photo of the interior dome in the Michigan State Capitol by Dave Parker in Wikipedia.
February 10, 2012 •
Wayne County Executive Releases New Executive Ethics Policy
Policy Addresses Lobbying, Gifts, and Conflicts of Interest
WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN: County Executive Robert Ficano has issued a new executive ethics policy that contains lobbyist registration provisions, gift restrictions, and conflict of interest disclosure requirements for executive appointees.
The policy requires a lobbyist who lobbies any executive appointee to register with the State of Michigan and bars lobbyists not verified as registered from meeting with executive appointees.
Additionally, the policy prohibits lobbyists from providing executive appointees with food or beverage valued at more than $100 annually and prohibits all other monetary or non-monetary gifts or gratuities.
January 20, 2012 •
Bill Aims to Identify Robocall Sponsors in Michigan
Senate Bill 896
Michigan Senator Tonya Schuitmaker has introduced Senate Bill 896, which would require robocalls in the state to clearly identify their sponsor. The bill will also says if a robocall is not endorsed by a candidate, the automated phone message must state it.
The Kalamazoo Gazette reports about the legislation in “State Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker introduces bill to force identification on campaign robo-calls” by Julie Mack.
December 29, 2011 •
2012 Campaign Spending Expected to Top $100 Million in Michigan
Special interests are expected to be big donors in upcoming elections.
Spending in Michigan’s upcoming Congressional and state Supreme Court elections could be near $100 million in 2012.
The decision of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United case in 2010 which made it possible for special interest groups to spend unlimited funds supporting thier candidates of choice has caused an explosion of campaign related spending that is becoming more apparent while more and more campaigns are underway.
Now that those who have large amounts of money can freely support campaigns with any amount of money, money from special interests is expected to make up a large proportion of the overall total campaign spending in the upcoming elections.
Read this article by Angela Wittrock to learn more.
November 15, 2011 •
Wayne County Commission Developing Comprehensive Ethics Ordinance
Ordinance to Address Conflicts of Interest and Improper Business Practices
WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN: Wayne County will have a comprehensive ethics ordinance in place within the next 90 days, according to Wayne County Commission Chairman Gary Woronchak.
Commission attorneys are currently working on a draft of a Wayne County ethics ordinance. Hearings are expected in January, with final approval targeted for February.
The ordinance seeks to set enhanced standards of conduct for officials and employees and rules for disclosure designed to avoid conflicts of interest and improper business practices.
October 31, 2011 •
Detroit Voters to Consider City Charter
Charter Proposes Ethics and Lobbying Reforms
On November 8, Detroit voters will consider a city charter proposed to reform the city government by bolstering ethics and reducing corruption. The proposed charter creates a board of ethics and the office of inspector general to investigate alleged ethical or criminal violations.
The charter seeks to improve transparency by requiring lobbyists and contractors to reveal financial connections with elected officials. Additionally, public servants are prohibited from accepting a gift, honoraria, or anything of value from individuals or companies seeking to do business with the city and a company can be barred from doing business with the city if found to be involved in contractual bribery or corruption.
Photo of the Detroit skyline by Shawn Wilson on Wikipedia.
September 2, 2011 •
New Municipalities Update- September 2, 2011
In a continuing effort to better serve the needs of its clients, State and Federal Communications, Inc. is expanding coverage of laws and regulations in more municipalities.
We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for:
Tempe, Arizona
Evansville, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana
Flint, Michigan
North Las Vegas, Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
August 26, 2011 •
New Municipalities Update
In a continuing effort to better serve the needs of its clients, State and Federal Communications, Inc. is expanding coverage of laws and regulations in more municipalities.
We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for:
Sterling Heights, Michigan
Lafayette, Louisiana
August 23, 2011 •
Michigan Bureau of Elections Now Offers Campaign Finance Twitter Feed
Secretary of State’s Office Makes Announcement
For the latest information on campaign finance requirements in Michigan, the state’s Bureau of Elections now has a Twitter account to keep you informed. The Twitter feed will include information about reporting deadlines, electronic filing updates, and announcements regarding training sessions. You can follow the Twitter account at @MichCFR.
According to a Michigan Department of State press release, “Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced today that the Bureau of Elections is launching a Twitter account to alert candidates, committees and those interested in campaign finance of reports detailing campaign contributions and expenditures.”
For another way to receive the latest information, the release also mentions that the Secretary of State also has a Facebook presence.
July 28, 2011 •
State and Federal Communications Expands Coverage
In a continuing effort to better serve the needs of its clients, State and Federal Communications, Inc. is expanding coverage of laws and regulations in more municipalities.
We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for Gilbert, Arizona; Savannah, Georgia; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Springfield, Missouri; and Syracuse, New York on our website.
The image of North America by Bosonic dressing on Wikipedia.
July 11, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 11, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
IRS Drops Audits of Political Donors
New Breed of ‘Super PACs,’ Other Independent Groups Could Define 2012 Campaign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Alabama Democratic Conference Files Lawsuit to Stop New Alabama Law Banning Political Fund Transfers
Arizona
Arizona Conservatives Scramble after Campaign Finance Law’s Defeat
California
Marijuana Lobbyist’s Fundraiser for DA Raises Questions
Veil Drawn on Donors to Latino Caucus-Controlled California Nonprofit
Connecticut
Agent Who Arrested Politicians Now Seeks House Seat
Georgia
Illinois
Mayor Rahm Emanuel Proposing New Round of Ethics Reforms
Iowa
Judge Upholds New Iowa Campaign Disclosure Rules
Massachusetts
House Leader Apologizes for Holocaust Remarks
Michigan
Justices Stop Political Gifts Taken at Work
Minnesota
Campaign Board Rejects NOM’s Efforts to Shield Donors in Marriage Battle
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Lt. Gov. Ard Paying $48,000 Fine
Washington
Ex-Prisons Chief Eldon Vail Says He Resigned Because of an Affair with Subordinate
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
September 8, 2010 •
Michigan – Pooling of Independent Expenditures Allowed
Unions and corporations in Michigan are allowed to pool funds for independent expenditures under an agreement reached between Secretary of State Land and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber filed for, and was granted, a preliminary injunction against Land’s initial interpretation of Michigan’s campaign finance laws in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” decision. Land ruled the Chamber may make independent expenditures but could not set up a PAC to make them. Under the stipulated ruling, corporations, organization, and unions are still prohibited from making direct corporate contributions or using a PAC to do so.
Register to view our Citizens United Update and read how other states are reacting to the Citizens United decision, here.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
